The best boss I've had would not only teach his employees how to 'dress' for success, but would actually buy them a new suit or two!
-- Submitted by Nami from Sunnyside, New York, United States through the CollegeRecruiter.com Career Blog Application on Facebook.com.
We all worked our way through college and made the grade to find entry level jobs in our chosen fields. Our entry level jobs have been successful and we feel quite good about our success so far. However, something is missing. Either we lost interest in a field that isn't as exciting as we dreamed it would be or the profit margin just isn't high enough. Whatever the reason, it has become apparent that it is time to move on. Knowing when it really is time to leave and how to bow out gracefully can make future career moves easier.
Don't burn your bridges.
This little gem is very good advice. No matter how frustrated you are with your current coworkers or employers, don't say anything you may regret later. While your current entry level job may appear to be designed for your own personal torture, six months with no job can make it look like heaven on earth. Always leave on good terms, as you might need to come back later.
Take a vacation.
Sometimes, our frustration with our current entry level job is no more than being overextended. If you find that you are contemplating a new career after years of success, take the time to think about the last time you took some time off. If it has been awhile, consider using a few vacation days to think about it before discarding the time you have spent in your present career.
The boss can't read your mind.
Believe it or not, your employers probably don't want to see you leave. Unfortunately, if you don't ask for what you want, they aren't likely to give it to you. If you are considering a career change based on financial needs, ask for a raise or benefits and support the request with well thought out reasons as to why you need and deserve this consideration.
If you are looking for an entry level position without a letter of references, you may be following a lost trend. Recent grads with hopes of entering the workforce need to consider the importance of their letter of reference. Employers use the letters as testimonials of character and employability. With the right letter at hand, recruiters can decide if you are the right person to call for an interview.
Testimonial of Character
Former employers' letter of references can qualify you for entry level positions in your desired industry. Recruiters who review letters of references often judge a candidate by former employer's discussions of their work ethics. Recruiters find the letter of reference a real testimonial of character regarding a candidate's dependability, professionalism, and future objectives in business. In the letters, old references can help with your qualifications for an entry level position; stay in touch with your network to ensure it is okay to use their recommendations for your job search.
Distinction from Competitors
The grads of 2008 are launching their job searches right now. They will have portfolios (or e-portfolios), resumes, and letters of references prepared for their job hunting. What will you have to compete? Your letter of references can distinguish you from your competition. Recruiters prefer details of profits, professional development, and ambitions of prospective candidates. If you want the job, you need to use your past achievements as basis for future growth in your industry.
The true importance of a letter of reference lies in the heart of the reader. Some recruiters may consider the letter a true testimonial of character while others will never read it. Recent grads with portfolios (and/or e-portfolios) are sure to receive a moment of a recruiter's time if their letter can make a standing ovation from their previous success.
For the recent college graduate, the financial burdens college has placed on them are starting to come into focus. You realize that the loans that looked like free money a couple years ago aren't quite as great as you thought they were. You also begin to realize that in the real world, there are no scholarships and once you are out of the dorms, it is time to sink or swim. Whether you are employed or not, the bills will keep coming in and they expect to be paid. You may have even thought in a last act of desperation, "I will run away to Utica." But guess what, the bill collectors know where Utica is too. It looks like it's time to settle down and find a job and if you are looking for entry level jobs in Utica or hundreds of other places, CollegeRecruiter.com can be of great value to you.
CollegeRecruiter.com helps in the first part by bringing education in the form of blogs and informative articles on topics of interest to recent college graduates seeking to establish themselves in a new career. These informative articles and blogs deal with a wide range of subjects that can help the college graduate to land better paying entry level jobs in Utica and elsewhere by educating them on the best ways to prepare for interviews or where to get work experience to increase the effectiveness of their resumes.
Secondly, the Entry Level and Internship Job Search Page found at CollegeRecruiter.com will prove valuable to the college student who needs to pay the bills by helping them to locate internship opportunities and entry level jobs in Utica, not to mention hundreds of other places around the globe. This tool provides the ability to quickly search all of the posted internships or entry level jobs in the Utica area, the whole state or the country. It even has the capability for international searching just in case you are still thinking of running away. As an added asset, all of these listings are for internships and entry level positions that will give both your resume and your career a little extra boost with the work experience and training they provide thus making your future job searches a little easier.
College Recruiter.com is there to help you get back on your financial feet and find a career after college, whether that be an entry level job in Utica or your hometown.
I really wonder if some employers realize the impact of a job on a person's life. And I am not simply referring to the monetary value of the job.
When I received my first paycheck after my first week back to my old job I very nearly cried. Although I don't know what that really says about me to anyone reading this, but take a deep breath and I will explain.
Well things went pretty smoothly I guess you could say. I worked a concert last night, and they had me cashier out in the parking lot. I was able to just kinda pick up where I had left off, but with some problems here and there. Although I seemed to be doing pretty well for having not worked there for a year, and no "re-aquaintance" training when I came back, I was being chastised by the supervisor in my area for not doing some things right. I was being berated and essentially made to feel small and stupid by my supervisor because I didn't know that these certain things had changed since the last time I had worked.
At the end of the night, even though he was very rude to me, my supervisor did verbally give me a pat-on-the-back for my work that night. The other 2 people working alongside me weren't getting the cars moving as fast as I was able to, and I brought in the most money of the night.
Back when I had the opportunity to substitute teach, well I thought that opportunity had gone and flown away. Yesterday I received the application package in the mail for me to fill out and send back to the school. I'm pretty confident my resume will shine, and I'm more than positive I'll pass the security clearances. So, I am hoping within the next couple of weeks I will be listed on their substitute teacher list.
To top things off, a couple of cousins informed me of some openings at their workplaces. Tomorrow afternoon I will be heading to both places and picking up applications. I really need to find a job that will eventually down the line give me some sort of health benefits. My job at the concert venue doesn't offer full-time employment or any kind of benefits. And being a substitute teacher I do not get to benefit from the state incentives. All I know is that now that I've had to purchase a new/used car because my old car died, I am, once again, in a financial crunch.
But here's to hoping that something good will pop up soon.
I spent a lot of time looking for a full time job, most of that time I occupied at a part time job that I really loved. However, after months of feeling underappreciated I had to give up my position to pursue full time employment. This was a heartwrenching time, as the job market was tough and every job I interviewed for seem to have another candidate that was more qualifed.
After some time searching for the new wonderful job opportunity waiting for me I was beginning to get impatient. That's when the old job started calling again.
I went on again, temporarily at first. My second day back on the job they were already giving me my full time dream job.
I thought a lot about my background, and how well I did at that job and thought that those references would help land me a job. After a while though, I thought, "No employer will ever know that I'm such a good employee! How can I show them?"
As it turned out, I was such a good employee, I didn't have to show anyone, in fact I already did. In the end I got my dream job... at least for now.
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After the past few days, I think there is nothing more exhausting and nerve-wracking than working out your 2 weeks notice, especially when you're leaving a "real job." Maybe extra especially when your bosses are the owners of the company. They have actually been really nice about it, saying they understand and that everyone should be doing what they want to be doing. I know they've noticed the tension and my frustration with my position there, and it really has nothing to do with them as managers or people. Well, they do micromanage me more than I prefer, but I think all small business owners are likely to be like that. They want a hand in every aspect of the business, constantly, and they're always changing directions to grow and stay afloat. And they make it personal.
That's the one thing about working for a Mom and Pop --- and leaving a Mom and Pop especially --- is that they make it very personal, and it shouldn't be. Business can be influenced by the personal certainly, but at the end of the day, it should be business. Sure, I choose a job based on what's fun and interesting to do and the kind of people I'll be working with, but at the end of the day, it's really about the health of my career, the opportunities it will open, and the growth and accomplishments it will allow me.
So, it was really just that I wasn't cut out for the job. I'm not a good assistant of any kind. I have no trouble working with others or even reporting to a manager, but I do have trouble with not being given the big picture, not being given a set of deadlines and personal goals that I can meet or exceed, and being constantly switching projects, switching direction, and not given any real independence. I need to be able to assert myself, think up creative solutions, implement them, and excel. Or fail, if that's what happens, and then move on. I know I can do that on a "team," too, as long as there's a clear expectation of my contribution and role.
How can you really begin and establish a career if you're being constantly pulled off projects before you can allow them to be successful, if your business is constantly changing its goals (besides the "just make money" goal), and you know that your contributions -- which are really appreciated by your bosses -- won't really matter in the fields you want to go into? You just can't.
It's hard when you're leaving not to make it about every little thing that ever bothered you, but that's not really why I'm leaving. I'm leaving because it's not the job, not the field, and not the place for me. Even that's hard to explain without sounding bad or hurting their feelings, so you wind up talking in platitudes --- "It was an offer I couldn't refuse" or "It was just a really great place" --- and hoping nobody asks the deep questions. In the end what it really boils down to is something they could have accommodated (though even then I can't guarantee how long I'd stay) but even if they ask, I can't tell them that. I know they'd just get mad.
How could they have accomodated it? Well, it's something Geena Davis's new VP said on that short-lived television show about a female president --- "If you want someone worth a damn in this job, you've got to make the job worth a damn." (I didn't even watch that show much, but that line has always stuck with me for some reason.) He was talking about having his own area of responsibility where he could really manage it without a huge amount of influence from her, and that's exactly what I wanted. It's also why I like sales. Sales managers are usually pretty hands off once you get good at your job, because the #1 thing they want is good numbers.
So, handling the big "WHY?" is extremely difficult, and there's only so much avoiding you can do. Avoiding the question for 80+ hours over two weeks sure isn't easy.
P.S. Sorry to quote a television show. I try not to. ;)
I left my last position in good esteem with everyone, despite the fact that my departure was not due to the most pleasant circumstances. When I quit my job I did it for a lot of good, logical reasons even though I absolutely loved my job. One of the main reasons, or at least the genesis of those reasons can be traced back to the head boss and his inability to respect the employees and the company we were working for. I let all of this go out of my head until I received a call a week ago from the president of the board of directors. She was calling to ask about the performance of my head boss, and believe you me I had more than enough to say. When she gave me a survey to fill out about his performance, however, I began to worry. When I left, on good terms, my boss offered a great recommendation and told me he would be a fantastic reference. I do have enough references, but his reference could realy help if I attain another job in this field. I didn't want to ruin this reference by unleashing my anger in a survey that could very well affect his job. Still when I filled out the survey I did it with honesty. When he reads it, I know he will know it is me because the events I talk about are specific. However in doing this I did more than just vent my anger, I hopefully was able to help the organization for the greater good. I didn't write an angry letter, I wrote a thoughful analysis. We work with children and they need the best staff they can get. I hate that I am not that staff anymore, but if I still have to power to help. I would rather do that than retain some reference.
Sometime you have to remember what is most important. The job itself was never the important thing, it's those kids, and somehow even though I've moved on, I think I was still able to help.
In January of my senior year in high school, I decided to go out and get a part-time job. I applied at several major retailers at the mall -- the ones popular with my age group. Within a week of putting in my application, I was invited for an interview. During my interview I was very honest with them about my current availability and what would/could affect that availability over the next several months. Since they called the next day and offered me a job, I was under the impression that they didn't have a problem with the issues that would affect the hours I could work.
Originally, I was supposed to begin work the week following my interview. That got postponed for an additional three weeks, which meant I wouldn't have much time in under my belt before I began asking off. I had hoped to work for at least six weeks before I had to ask for special favors. When I went in to pick up my first work schedule, I talked to the assistant manager who had interviewed me and hired me, reminding her that I would be unable to work several days coming up due to the fact that I would be out of town competing in the state DECA competition. She again reassured me that it wasn't a problem and suggested that I write down my availability for March and April and give it to her so they had the information to refer to. On my first day of work I did that. I personally handed her a typed copy of days and hours in which I knew for a certainty that I would be unavailable.
The week of the DECA competition rolled around, and lo and behold, I was scheduled to work 2 of the 3 days I was out of town. I again went to the assistant manager and reminded her that I wasn't available. She said, "Try to find someone to work for you." At that point, I'd only worked 3 shifts, so I didn't know too many people to ask. I did ask them, but none of them could do it, so I posted something on the bulletin board. No takers. I worked the night before I left for the competition and talked AGAIN to the assistant manager, relaying to her the efforts I'd made. She told me it was no problem and thanked me for the efforts I'd made.
As soon as the store opened the next day, I called in to remind the store that I wouldn't be working that afternoon and that no one had taken my shift. The person that answered the phone said they would relay that information to management. The following day I did the same thing. This time the store manager answered. When I told her who it was and why I was calling, she informed me that I was fired since I hadn't talked to her the previous day, stating that it was store policy that I had to talk to a manager if I was calling off.
I am still very confused about exactly where it was I went wrong in this situation. I was honest from the beginning about my availability. I gave the only manager I'd been introduced to a typed copy of my availabilty to refer to when making the schedules. I followed the steps that the assistant manager suggested in trying to find a replacement. And I tried to be responsible by calling in and reminding them. As it turns out, there is NOTHING in the employment manual about who you have to speak to when calling in -- the store manager said it should be "common sense." But, according to the manual, I could be a no show (not work, no phone call) three times before I would be terminated. I don't think I'll ever understand why one phone call to the wrong person is worse than not showing up three times. However, I'm concerned that I actually did make a big mistake -- one that I certainly don't want to make again. I'm anxious to hear additional comments and opinions to help me manage the situation better in the future.
My last day was supposed to be last Friday. I came in Monday and Wednesday for a couple of hours to help the new girl and I still have to play receptionist tomorrow (holiday weekend, they couldn't find anybody to cover my shift). I've started my part-time job and I really like it. It's the easiest job I've ever had, I make about the same that I did at the full-time job and it's a lot of fun but I'm having some trouble believing that I did the right thing. Part of this doubt comes from the sudden appreciation from my former (or soon to be former) employer. Due to the rumor mill I got a call from my former boss begging me to come back in any form possible. She offered me part-time work doing whatever I wanted to do. In a car dealership that's a pretty open-ended invitation. She's offered to train me in finance and also told me that she wants me to walk away with a more well-rounded accounting background. This is really great, right? Well, yes, it is but I've made a commitment to myself to start writing and also to my new employer, who also happens to be a good friend. The office manager, general manager, controller, and owner of the dealership have discussed my future with the company and they all want me back. It's flattering and probably a good idea but I haven't even started to write (haven't had any free time because I've been helping my replacement all week!). So how long can I take to make a decision before they retract their interest? I'm sure that I'll always be welcome there but should I jump at the opportunity or do I have time to see if I like the starving artist lifestyle? I just wish that they had let me know before I put in my two weeks that I had the opportunity to advance and had the opportunity to learn all the aspects of the dealership. I don't want to spend the rest of my life at a car dealership but there is a lot I could take with me from the dealership that would help me in so many ways.
I'm confused!!!!
Did I make a mistake?
Does it look bad to change my mind so quickly after I've started my new job?
I know it looks bad but is it okay?
Aaahhhh!
The challenges of a globalized economy
Hello Fellow Colleagues,
I am excited to write for CollegeRecruiter.com! I am currently working on a PhD in Leadership for Higher Education and I have had a multitude of work experiences that include advertising sales and management, teaching, writing/editing, and now extensive PhD researching. My current job market is in Arizona and it has always been a challenge finding interesting work that pays well in this particular area, and now in this new globalized economy. I find that one needs to constantly upgrade one’s skills and abilities to stay competitive and marketable…hence, the PhD work. I will be writing about my work experiences, advising others on the challenges of finding that perfect job, interviewing skills, and the advantages of seeking higher education to become more marketable and attractive to employers. In addition, I will discuss how to change one’s career track and how to adapt and compete in a constantly changing globalized workplace. Let the games begin!
The Punk Rock PhD
Lisa Marie
I got a call this morning, the Monday after I completed my two weeks notice from my job. On the phone was my boss, the same one who continually invalidated my position and refused to give me more hours not but three weeks ago. Today he was asking me to come back, temporarily to fill in for someone, at a $2.50 an hour raise.
Two weeks ago I quit because I couldn't get any more hours, now after I had my last day I'm being begged to come back. I loved my job, and quiting was one of the hardest things I've done in a while. I was working with children, something I loved, but I couldn't stay with the way the professional side of the job was going. Saying goodbye on Friday to all of my kids was emotional and I did not want to do it again.
I think it was about two seconds after I told my boss, "No" that I had regrets. While I do have interviews, I don't have another job lined up and the money would really be helpful, but I think on some level I made the right decision.
Part of my purpose in quiting was to finally give validation to my position, to show that I really did make an impact and my job and the way I did it was important. On Monday morning, I guess I got that validation; and after I get over my initial regret, maybe I'll feel like I made the right choice.
One applies to a company after much research, and hope that they stand out far above the other candidates so they can get a leg in at the very least - then they do. The world starts to spin faster, their world spins in a different direction all together; it might even be in the direction they planned and hoped for.
After a few of these, you become me. Not angry, not bitter; just ashamed and mentally exhausted. Then you ask me: "Was it worth it?" "Is it worth it still?" and though I would love to give a succinct answer, I'll shake my head and say "I don't know."
What do you make of this? Putting in time and energy; full blown dedication and finding out that the one above you knows 90% less than you do and that they got there (above you) by playing the right games with the right people. The game seems quite simply - kiss ... and act like you are working ridicously hard even if you have no idea what in god's name is going on. Dress nice, speak well, make no mistakes and if you make them do not get caught! Sing the same tune as everyone else who looks like you - the tune of the cookie cutter and make no mistake - Loyalty is a word that has been successfully eradicated from the dictionary. It's new meaning is yet to be canonized: "Be for them what they are for you and run / shine the negative light on them when the going gets better and the dollar bills roll in."
The last job I held, aside from my student assistant positions for work-study at college, was my first outside job in an office setting. I already have a lot of experience using Microsoft Word, and I purposely took an extra computer course in college to learn more aspects of Excel, PowerPoint, Access, etc. I have been typing since fifth grade, and my typing skills have reached 92 wpm. Obviously there were going to be things about their procedures and system at the office that they were going to have to teach me.
When I first began the job I was told my primary duties were going to be proofing and editing their training manuals that they use in their business. That wasn't a problem for me because I had always hoped for a job where I could either do writing or editing. I thought this was going to be great. My secondary duties were to help out my immediate supervisor with client services, creating new client start-ups, etc. In the first week and a half I worked there the main supervisor of the office rarely was there, and I didn't meet her until the last day of my first week of work. By the third week of work, her temper and short-term patience was showing. She was expecting me to know things about this office in particular that I was never told about, and I was being treated like a child.
They took their time in training me, and every week I heard "Well, next week we are going to start you on answering phones." I didn't actually start answering phones until after I had already been working there for over a month. And when I did finally begin answering phones, half of the time I couldn't answer the questions because I was never explained all aspects of the company that I was working for. When I asked for someone to explain and teach me something in the beginning when I first started, I was looked at as though I should know how to do whatever I was asking about. And when it was explained to me I was getting short answers and not much real explanation. When I asked questions or was told anything, I always had a notepad next to me and was writing down all information that was told to me so I had it for future reference. I actually had my notes pinned up in my cubicle so I had them right there at hand when I needed to answer any questions over the phone. It also turned out that, some of the information I was told by others that were training me were wrong or inaccurate because later when the main supervisor would hear me explain something to someone over the phone, etc., she would berate me in front of the office about doing or saying something wrong. The main supervisor's demeanor even when dealing with her clients was sarcastic, rude, contemptuous, and completely unprofessional. It made me wonder how she was able to keep people with the company.
It was never that I couldn't handle the job when I quit. In fact, I got my work done faster than anyone else in the office and I often had to scramble to find something else to do. I would always be sure to let my immediate supervisor know that if she had anything she needed help with, that I was available. I eventually was able to find things for myself to do, and when it did come time for conferences out of state I was kept busy taking care of the training manuals being ordered, contacting clients who were attending the conferences with travel information, etc. However, as much as I needed and do need a job, I do not need employers who do not train me properly and then treat me as though I am a child or imbecile.
I spent about a year after college working for an outdoor gear distributor. A few years back this would have been a dream job back in that small junior college town. I promised myself that I would work there just for a little bit. Buy all the tents, backpacks, water bottles, knifes and climbing gear that I needed. After a few months, I fell into the groove of waking up going to work, and hardly ever applying for better jobs when I got home.
It was easy to stay though; after all I was spending all my money on these really cool toys.
Trying to live on $8.00 dollars and hour is hard enough without having all of the temptation to spend it right there at work. Payment for this discounted gear could come straight out of the paycheck if I wanted it to, just like one of my good friends child support payments comes out of his paycheck. In the end I probably brought back enough money for gas and the occasional road trip. I had a truck full of gear that would last me more than a long time, but I learned quickly that buying gear soon turns into an addiction. The collection begins to grow into enormous proportions. Some deals are too hard to pass up, and you would be a fool not to buy at the lowest price. Enough to keep me busy, not enough to keep me interested. Eventually, I got to the position in the company where the wanted to get me out of the warehouse and onto the sales floor. About this same time, I was interviewing for a good job with another agency.
In the end I ended up leaving the company for a more interesting summer job. They were even gracious enough to let me keep the employee discount. I still find myself spending quite a bit of money buying things from their company. While picking up an order today, they asked me if I would come in and work the next day. There is something a little humiliating about working at a company you left. Then again I feel a little grateful for the work while I am in need. Something should be said for leaving a job on good terms.
I can't say this enough. The positions I've held in recent years helped me build on skills I'd learned previously, which often resulted in more responsibility, and in some cases, more (merit) pay.
I never really thought much of my 3 years at Burger King, but I worked in Food Prep, cashier, inventory, and was even a shift supervisor for a while. It was here that I learned to multi-task and get the job done. These skills have served me well in all jobs I've acquired after this one.
Working in a small organization (our branch had less than 20 employees total) is beneficial too - this gave me the chance to get my hands into different aspects of the office environment. At first I felt like a fish out of water - going from the erratic work hours of the fast food world to a set 8-5 M-F schedule took some adjusting to. But I went from a lowly office assistant, answering phones and following up on orders, to becoming the ISO Internal Auditor for our plant, working with our top salesman on our top account (Chrysler), focusing more on purchasing and inventory management, and training our employees on a new software system that was implemented.
Wherever you work, if you are given the opportunity to learn new things, by all means give it a shot. It will serve you well later on down the road - and looks good on your resume!
I was not even going to interview at this particular law firm. I had a job and I would have to drive to the other end of the county to take on a new paralegal position. However, curiosity, and the knowledge that the worst that would happen is that I would not get the position caused me to call the Office Manager back and schedule an interview.
The seasonal job that I took is over with now. Overall, it was not too bad. The work was easy enough, just putting small boxes into a large rack. We had to work quickly, but things never hit the frantic pace retail outlets go through the same time of year. The long hours and the cold (did I mention this all took place inside of an industrial-size freezer?) will not be missed. However, I am glad that I stuck around until the end.
Not everyone who initially signed on for the position stayed, and a dozen or more people from temp agencies had to be brought in. They, along with a recent posting in this blog, reminded me of my own brief time as a temp. It was there that I learned the most valuable lesson about working for temp agencies-never work for temp agencies.
Maybe that is going a bit far. Certainly, some have found work, even good work in this manner. But to get the whole picture, all kinds of stories are needed, good and bad. It could have just been the agency I worked for, but my temping experience was anything but fulfilling.
What got me interested in this agency in the first place was the selection of jobs they had, or at least claimed to have. Around fifty different postings were listed on their website alongside claims of "flexibility" and "we'll match you up with the perfect job for you!" Plus, they run a multitude of ads in the Sunday papers. But when I started, they just called me up and told me where to go without giving me any choice in the matter. The one time that I asked for a different assignment , they told me that they did not have any other jobs, and sent me anyway. That job required experience/knowledge I did not possess, which makes me wonder if they even READ the lengthy sheet they made me fill out detailing what I could and could not do. So I spent half of that shift just learning the basics of what to do and the other half fumbling around like an idiot trying (and failing) to keep up just halfway decently with the others. I was not asked to return the next day. So much for matching me up with my "dream job" there. Not knowing what I would be doing the next day made me uneasy to begin with. After that incident, the feeling increased drastically. Driving all over the city for next to nothing is no fun either, but it could have been worth it were there not one major flaw that every single assignment I got had in common. The same story was true for all the other temps I met at all the companies I worked for. There was no chance at all that any of us would be permanent. Most of my assignments lasted one day, and that was all that the clients intended. Just like those guys in the freezer, brought in when needed and then booted out the door. My last assignment took me to a place ONE HOUR from where I live, only to find out the client had CANCELLED the temp help. I returned home in a...let us just leave it at "unhappy" mood to find my then current employers name on my caller ID. They had been kind enough to call and inform me of the cancellation after all...FIFTEEN MINUTES before the job was supposed to start! To be fair, I do not know who's fault that was, the agency or the client. Either way, it was good in the long run, for the incident provided the necessary motivation to finally get my old job back and, with surprising calmness, quit the agency. Sorry if that turned into a bit of a rant, but temping was the worst job experience of my life-yes, worse than fast food. That rant did not even cover half of it. Do not make my mistake. If you want to try this line of work, do what you should do on any potential employer-research. What kinds of jobs do they have? What percentage of employees find permanent work? Do they give you options on where to go? Most of all, talk to people. Although I am not trying this again through anybody, I have heard great things about other agencies. I have since spoken to others who worked for the same agency I did, and the responses have always been negative. Hey, maybe if I had talked to all those people beforehand, I would be writing glowing praises for the occupation. Doubt it, but it is possible. After hearing so many praises for temping, including a front page article in the job section of my local paper, I just needed to tell my story.
Being eager to start working early, I began as a receptionist in a local Chinese restaurant while still in junior high. It was there that I picked up one piece of advice which I have tried to adhere to.(No, the advice didn't spring from a fortune cookie, and no, my Chinese boss was not an ex-Shaolin Monk). He told me simply to try and leave no gaps in my early life and career.
I have found that advice to be very useful. Having graduated from high school, I was a humble waitress in a cafe before entering University as a BA (Media and Communications) student. Not wanting to spend my three month University break idly, I applied for work experience and was finally accepted for two internships in Hong Kong.
Thus during my summer vacation, I had more or less a working holiday, engaged in the marketing and communications division in Ricoh Hong Kong for one month before working in the internal communications division of Johnson Stokes and Master (JSM), which just happened to be Hong Kong's top law firm.
I remember casually asking my employer at JSM why I had been selected as a Winter Intern at their firm, as one local intern confided in me that the selection process was a competitive one. According to her, my previous work experience as a waitress and even my year 10 work experience had given me an extra edge over other candidates, experience that all began as a young teenager working in a local Chinese takeout. Said my supervisor, "You've done things - even if they weren't too related to the work you're doing now, you've had work experience, which some of the other students, although like you achieved high scores in their studies, have had no work experience."
Stepping stones lead to other stepping stones. Since then, whilst being employed with other firms and continuing my studies, I have been accepted as another intern working in a Public Relations firm (also in Hong Kong) due to begin this January and am looking forward to it immensely.
Personally, the point to ponder is the fact that all these opportunities sprouted from labouring in a humble little restaurant back in junior high. Importance lies not in where you begin, but where those beginnings can take you.
Don't leave gaps, abhor vacuums and enjoy the ride.
